Car Seat Laws

[Pookle]

Does anyone know if my (then) 11 and 9 year old will need some kind of booster seat in the car? Currently they still need boosters in this country...

[jbrockwell5081]

The normal advise is to do what you do at home. If they need boosters here, then use them over there.

[Guest]

They do not need them by law, but @jbrockwell5081 gives good advice. A bubblebum is a nice compact booster that you can easily take in hand luggage or a case and is certified for use in the USA.

Boosters should be used whenever the seat belt doesn't fit correctly over the pelvis and/or shoulder (i.e. not cut into neck), regardless of actual height/age.

[Pookle]

Okay, great, thanks for that info. I will have a look at the bubblebum (nice name!) My daughter will probably be off the height where she won't need it but my son will definitely need something.

[duncanb]

Key things to remember under 80lbs or 4ft 9 in booster seat required.
Under 5 in a approved car seat.
To cut out all long winded jargon.

[MickeyHammer]

Hi,

We were discussing this morning whether our youngest daughter needed a booster and from memory I think a booster is applicable if under 80lbs like Duncan said. We will be taking a booster for our youngest who will be 7 at time of flying but is only 3 stone / 42lbs.

[duncanb]

Yes it's a weight or height thing so over 80lbs about 5.5 stone ok over 4ft 9 ins ok.
As always even if over both and you want to add a booster for safety no probs this height is around a 9 year old.
Enjoy.

[Elise79]

The actual law in Florida only relates to children 5 and under. dmv/fl-florida/safety-laws.php

However DD still has a booster both here and there to ensure the seat belt sits correctly (she is legally tall enough to go without in the UK) as its safer.

[Guest]

As @Elise79 says (I used to have a car named after you ):
- 6 or over and you don't need anything by law (it is 5 and under that the law applies to)

However, the laws of physics don't change, and those are the laws that will determine any injuries in the event of an accident.

The important thing for older children (and adults) is that the seatbelt is properly fitted. Most have no problem with the lap part - but often it cuts into the neck if you're not very tall.

That leads to severe whiplash and possible neck trauma in an accident, and possibly:
- people hold the belt with "slack" so it doesn't cut into the neck, and/or
- slip out their arm so the belt is behind them and not cutting into the neck

Rather than see a booster as a "safety device" it can also be seen as a "comfort device". And who doesn't like comfort...

[DIBBadmin]

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